Chamberlain

Wednesday

Feb 29, 2012 at 12:01 AMFeb 29, 2012 at 12:41 PM

TRIVIA ANSWER: Did anyone get it? The answer is Joshua Chamberlain. Born in Maine he enlisted and was assigned to the 20th Maine Corps. His service eventually placed him in Gettysburg during that historic battle.

Promoted to Colonel, Chamberlain was ordered to control what we know now as Little Round Top, its elevation being critical. Under no circumstances were he and his gallant men to cede the hill. The 20th Maine found themselves under constant attack from the 15th Alabama and later the 5th Alabama also.

Sustaining high casualties and about out of ammunition, Chamberlain ordered a bayonet charge that so shocked the charging Southerners, they surrendered. It was reported that Chamberlain, with sword pressed to the chest of Rebel Officer William C. Oates said, “You are my prisoner, sir.”

Many years later, Col. Chamberlain received a letter from a CSA soldier who confessed to being a sniper at Gettysburg. He claimed to have had Chamberlain in his sights but his conscience began to bother him. He thought about his soldierly duties and tried a second time to shoot Chamberlain. According to legend, he came to the decision that it would be murder and left his post.

The letter to Chamberlain indicated that had the order been carried out there was no doubt. It would have been successful.

The two met at an Anniversary Ceremony years later at Gettysburg.

TRIVIA: Name the MA woman who aided soldiers in the field during the Civil War and founded one of the leading Humanitarian Organizations?

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